Overview
The DCU MA in Creative Writing is designed to help you discover your inner writer by immersing you in the world of Drama, Poetry, and Fiction.
This exciting programme gives early-career and up-and-coming writers the chance to spend a year working with experienced writers in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. You can develop your writing skills and connect with the broader literary community.
The MA in Creative Writing provides intensive, practical courses in drama, poetry, screenwriting, and prose fiction. It also offers specialised classes in critical reading and creative practice.
DCU People
I chose the MA in Creative Writing to develop my writing skills and progress my novel.
Read more about Rachael O'Brien
Entry Requirements
For admission to the MA in Creative Writing, successful applicants will have:
• A degree at the level of an Irish or UK Honours undergraduate degree (H2.2 or above) or equivalent, in a Humanities discipline but holders of other degrees or appropriate professional experience should provide information in their personal statement.
• Applicants with appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may also be considered. This includes discipline-specific knowledge and know-how; transferable skills; basic research competency; personal effectiveness.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their application under the Transcripts section of the portal, affirming their intent to apply for RPL. For more information on RPL see here.
•International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.
Due to the specialist nature of this programme, additional criteria may be used to assess suitability to undertake this programme. For further information, please contact the Programme Chair using the contact details above
Programme Structure
We aim to teach students a wide range of creative writing techniques in various forms such as drama, fiction, poetry and screenwriting. We believe that even if a student has a primary interest in one form, exposure to all these creative disciplines can be beneficial. Many aspects of writing, such as imagery, rhythm, narrative structure, voice/language style and the use of rhetorical techniques apply across different forms and genres, not just one.
Students will study important literary works from both Ireland and the world, and they will have the opportunity to share and receive constructive feedback on their own work in progress. This process will help them develop a broad technical vocabulary that enhances their understanding of their own writing and the work of others. Even students interested in specialised genres like life-writing, children's literature or fantasy can benefit from this approach and will have a chance to work in their chosen form in the Writing Project. Our hope is that all students will integrate the knowledge gained from each seminar into their final creative work or portfolio.
This program offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Writing, which can be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis, recognised as a Level 9 qualification. The MA programme consists of several components:
- A core module called "Reading like a writer," worth 30 credits, is spread across both the first and second semesters.
- Students can then select three out of four 10-credit modules focusing on Fiction, Drama, Poetry, and Screenwriting.
- In addition, there is a 30-credit writing project.
Full-time students can complete all their required credits within one year.
- Our faculty consists of highly qualified staff who possess real expertise and a strong commitment to teaching. They bring a wealth of teaching experience to the table.
- Our teaching staff includes three renowned writers with national and international recognition: Marina Carr, a distinguished playwright; Kevin Power, an accomplished novelist; and Kit Fryatt, a celebrated poet.
- We maintain small class sizes to ensure that every student has the opportunity to be heard. This setting often fosters close and mutually supportive relationships among our students.
The DCU MA in Creative Writing welcomes aspiring writers at various stages of their journey. It's open to early-career and emerging writers, including those who have already started publishing and want to refine their skills, those who haven't yet published and are seeking the tools to succeed and even seasoned writers who wish to delve deeper into their craft.
Our program's goal is to assist writers in completing a substantial body of work in their chosen genre, be it drama, fiction, poetry or screenwriting. We also aim to cultivate the critical skills needed for self-evaluation and the assessment of others' work. Graduates from the MA in Creative Writing will acquire a diverse set of transferable skills, including critical analysis, professional discipline, and creative thinking.
A solid foundation in the art of writing is essential for success in any field, and the skills honed during the DCU MA in Creative Writing will prepare students for writing careers in an ever-expanding range of sectors. Our program instils mastery of language and technique, the ability to meet deadlines with high-quality work, a strong sense of professionalism and a flexible approach to their own writing and that of others.
Fees and Funding
Fees
How To Apply
To apply for this programme:
All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application:
- Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.
- Provide an example of writing, creative or otherwise, on a topic/theme of your choice maximum 3,000 words prose / 15 pages drama (correctly formatted) / 12 pages of poems.
- Personal Statement (250-750 words)
- If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml
Please note if you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.
Application Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until the following dates:
- Closing date for non EU applicants is 1st July 2025
- Closing date for EU applicants is 30th July 2025
Note applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of studying at DCU, are advised to apply as early as possible.
All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.
Application Queries
For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie
Commencement of Programme
The programme commences in September 2025
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU Glasnevin Campus
FAQs
Is DCU all one campus?
DCU is a multi campus university - the Glasnevin, St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses. The St Patrick's campus is where the Education courses are taught and some of the subjects from the BA Joint Honours degree. There is a 20-25 minute walk between the campuses but there are buses and bikes available to go between them also.
Click here to see maps of all of our campuses
If I'm studying on the St Patrick's campus, can I use the library and sports centre on the Glasnevin campus?
Yes, all facilities such as sports and accommodation are open for all DCU students to avail of.
Are there libraries in DCU and if they have wifi and work stations?
We have a brand new state of the art four floor library on our St. Patrick's Campus which complements the existing library on the Glasnevin campus. There is free wifi, work stations as well as desktop computers.
Does DCU provide accommodation?
DCU does have on-campus accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and you can find out more and apply via the Accommodation Office webpage.
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